A cast member of the reality television series “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” was arrested Monday afternoon following a traffic stop in the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven that led to multiple felony charges, according to police.
Authorities identified the passenger as Erica Banks, whose legal name is Erica Breaux. Police said Banks was taken into custody after officers discovered drugs inside a vehicle that was later confirmed to have been stolen. She was arrested on felony charges related to possession of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and marijuana with intent to distribute.
The vehicle was stopped after officers noticed a traffic violation involving the license plate tint. Police said the car was displaying a dealer plate, but a check of the vehicle identification number revealed it had been reported stolen out of Atlanta.
The driver, identified as 25-year-old Amani Dirton, was arrested on similar felony drug charges, along with a traffic misdemeanor related to the license plate and a charge for driving a stolen vehicle.
Jail records indicate Banks was released approximately nine hours after her arrest. No additional details were immediately available regarding court dates or bond conditions.
Banks is a rapper who joined the cast of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” during its 11th season in 2023. She is known for songs including “Buss It” and “Toot That,” which helped raise her public profile prior to her appearance on the VH1 reality series.
This is not the first recent arrest involving Banks. In August, she was taken into custody at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a handgun was discovered in her bag during a security screening. Police said the firearm was a .380-caliber handgun loaded with a magazine containing six rounds.
At the time of that arrest, Banks told police she was unaware the gun was inside the bag and said it belonged to her security detail. She was booked into the Clayton County Jail and released later the same day.
The Brookhaven arrest adds to a growing list of legal issues involving the rapper within the past year. Police have not released further information regarding the ongoing investigation related to the stolen vehicle or the narcotics charges.
All parties are innocent unless proven guilty.
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